Assessing Environmental Sustainability in the Eastern Mediterranean Under Anthropogenic Air Pollution Risks Through Remote Sensing and Google Earth Engine Integration

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Environmental issues, and especially environmental sustainability, are very relevant, so the topic of the article under review is undoubtedly interesting. Remote sensing and the use of satellite information are modern methods of scientific interest. The title of the article and keywords adequately reflect its content. In the abstract, the authors provide the essence and relevance of the problem; describe the research methods, the results obtained, their relationship with the achievement of the SDGs and conclusions on the work.

In the introduction, the authors provide a brief overview of studies on the topic of the article, including the methods used to solve this problem, and formulate the purpose of the study. The second section describes the materials and methods, including the scope of the study, data sources and methodology. The third part is devoted to the description of the results obtained, including the spatio-temporal distribution of NO ₂ and CO concentrations in northwestern Syria, time series and general trends in NO2 and CO concentrations and their correlations with climatic factors. Data on contributions to the achievement of sustainable development goals are also provided here. In the "Conclusions" section, the authors summarize the results obtained and provide conclusions on the work. The article has been prepared in accordance with the instructions for authors, corresponds to the topic indicated in the title. In our opinion, the article corresponds to the topic "improving environmental sustainability through environmental monitoring" and corresponds to the type of Preliminary study.

Comment.

The topic proposed by the authors is relevant and interesting from both practical and scientific points of view. In general, the authors substantiate their conclusions well, but there are some comments that reduce the quality of the article.

1. The title of the article, in our opinion, is not entirely correct, since it is impossible to increase environmental sustainability using remote sensing. Remote sensing is actually a monitoring tool and means collecting data. Whereas in order to increase sustainability, it is necessary to carry out a number of measures that reduce risk factors.
2. Further, the authors, based on factual data, study the correlation between the content of harmful substances in the atmosphere and climatic factors, but the real benefit of this study and obtaining dependencies will be in developing recommendations to reduce negative impacts and measures to implement these recommendations. This issue needs to be explained in more detail.
3. It is not entirely clear which services are interested in such research and how these results can be applied in practice.
4. The authors describe the contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, but it is necessary to clarify how remote sensing data will affect the achievement of the SDGs, even if the population is informed about the conclusions reached by the authors.
5. It is necessary to check the numbering of sections: section 3 is immediately followed by section 5.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer (1)

Comments and Suggestions for Authors:

Environmental issues, and especially environmental sustainability, are very relevant, so the topic of the article under review is undoubtedly interesting. Remote sensing and the use of satellite information are modern methods of scientific interest. The title of the article and keywords adequately reflect its content. In the abstract, the authors provide the essence and relevance of the problem; describe the research methods, the results obtained, their relationship with the achievement of the SDGs and conclusions on the work.

In the introduction, the authors provide a brief overview of studies on the topic of the article, including the methods used to solve this problem, and formulate the purpose of the study. The second section describes the materials and methods, including the scope of the study, data sources and methodology. The third part is devoted to the description of the results obtained, including the spatio-temporal distribution of NO ₂ and CO concentrations in northwestern Syria, time series and general trends in NO2 and CO concentrations and their correlations with climatic factors. Data on contributions to the achievement of sustainable development goals are also provided here. In the "Conclusions" section, the authors summarize the results obtained and provide conclusions on the work. The article has been prepared in accordance with the instructions for authors, corresponds to the topic indicated in the title. In our opinion, the article corresponds to the topic "improving environmental sustainability through environmental monitoring" and corresponds to the type of Preliminary study.

The topic proposed by the authors is relevant and interesting from both practical and scientific points of view. In general, the authors substantiate their conclusions well, but there are some comments that reduce the quality of the article.

Comment 1: The title of the article, in our opinion, is not entirely correct, since it is impossible to increase environmental sustainability using remote sensing. Remote sensing is actually a monitoring tool and means collecting data. Whereas in order to increase sustainability, it is necessary to carry out a number of measures that reduce risk factors.

Response: Thank you for your constructive feedback regarding the title of the manuscript. This is a completely valid scientific observation that remote sensing serves primarily as a monitoring and data collection tool rather than directly implementing sustainability measures. Your point is absolutely correct - environmental sustainability advancement requires concrete actions and policy interventions that address pollution sources and risk factors, while remote sensing provides the essential monitoring and assessment capabilities.

In response to your valuable comment, the title has been revised to better reflect the actual role of remote sensing in this study. The new title is: "Assessing Environmental Sustainability in the Eastern Mediterranean under Anthropogenic Air Pollution Risks through Remote Sensing and Google Earth Engine Integration"

This revised title more accurately represents the research approach, emphasizing that remote sensing technologies are used to assess and monitor environmental sustainability rather than directly advancing it through technological means alone. The word "Assessing" clearly indicates the evaluative and monitoring nature of the study, which aligns perfectly with your observation about the role of remote sensing as a data collection and monitoring tool. This research contributes to environmental sustainability by providing critical baseline data, identifying pollution patterns, and supporting evidence-based decision-making processes in conflict-affected regions where traditional monitoring is impossible.

Comment 2: The Further, the authors, based on factual data, study the correlation between the content of harmful substances in the atmosphere and climatic factors, but the real benefit of this study and obtaining dependencies will be in developing recommendations to reduce negative impacts and measures to implement these recommendations. This issue needs to be explained in more detail.

Response: Thank you for this insightful comment that highlights the practical importance of translating research findings into actionable recommendations.

This observation is absolutely correct that the true value of correlating atmospheric pollutants with climatic factors lies in developing concrete recommendations for reducing negative environmental impacts. The correlations identified in this study provide essential scientific foundations for evidence-based policy interventions and targeted mitigation strategies.

In response to your valuable feedback, a new subsection (3.6. Environmental Management Implications and Recommendations) has been added to the Results and Discussion section. This addition comprehensively addresses how the correlation patterns can inform practical air quality management strategies, including the development of early warning systems during high-pressure weather conditions, urban planning strategies that utilize wind patterns for pollutant dispersion, seasonal pollution control measures based on the identified 2-3 fold winter concentration increases, and integrated air quality management frameworks for post-conflict reconstruction planning.

The new subsection specifically demonstrates how the strong positive correlations between atmospheric pressure and NO₂ concentrations (0.62-0.70) can support early warning systems, how the negative correlations with wind speed (-0.54 to -0.74) inform urban planning recommendations, and how the distinct pollution patterns between political territories can guide environmental safeguards in reconstruction efforts. This enhancement transforms the correlation analysis from purely descriptive findings into actionable insights for environmental management in conflict-affected regions.

Comment 3: It is not entirely clear which services are interested in such research and how these results can be applied in practice.

Response: Thank you for this important question that highlights the need to clarify the practical applications and target stakeholders of this research.

This study addresses a critical gap in environmental monitoring for conflict-affected regions, making it highly relevant to multiple stakeholders and practical applications. The research findings are particularly valuable for international organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO), and humanitarian agencies operating in conflict zones who require reliable environmental data for health risk assessments and post-conflict planning. National and regional environmental agencies, public health departments, and urban planning authorities can utilize these methodologies and findings to establish air quality monitoring systems in areas where traditional ground-based networks are unavailable or compromised.

The practical applications include developing early warning systems for high-pollution periods, informing post-conflict reconstruction planning with environmental safeguards, supporting health risk assessments for displaced populations, and guiding policy development for sustainable urban development. The demonstrated correlation patterns can be used by meteorological services to predict pollution levels based on weather conditions, while the identified pollution hotspots provide crucial information for targeted intervention strategies.

In response to your valuable feedback, an additional paragraph has been incorporated into the new subsection 3.6 (Environmental Management Implications and Recommendations) that specifically addresses the target stakeholders and practical applications of this research. This addition clarifies how different organizations and agencies can implement the findings and methodologies in their operational contexts, ensuring that the scientific contributions translate into tangible benefits for environmental management and public health protection in conflict-affected regions.

Comment 4: The authors describe the contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, but it is necessary to clarify how remote sensing data will affect the achievement of the SDGs, even if the population is informed about the conclusions reached by the authors.

Response: Thank you for this important question that emphasizes the need to clarify the practical pathways through which remote sensing data translates into actual SDG achievement.

This is a crucial point that highlights the distinction between providing information and creating a measurable impact on sustainable development outcomes. Remote sensing data affects SDG achievement through several concrete mechanisms beyond simply informing populations about environmental conditions. For SDG 3 (Health and Well-being), the pollution data directly enables health authorities to implement targeted interventions such as establishing pollution monitoring networks, issuing health advisories during high-pollution periods, and allocating healthcare resources to areas with elevated pollution exposure. The identification of seasonal pollution patterns (winter concentrations 2-3 times higher than summer) allows for proactive health planning and resource deployment.  For SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), the pollution hotspot mapping provides urban planners with essential data to redesign traffic patterns, establish low-emission zones, and prioritize infrastructure investments in the most affected areas. The correlation patterns between wind speed and pollution inform urban design decisions that can measurably reduce pollution exposure. For SDG 16 (Peace and Justice), the demonstrated ability to monitor governance impacts through environmental indicators provides transparency tools that support accountability mechanisms and evidence-based policy development in post-conflict settings.

In response to your valuable feedback, an additional subsection has been added to section 3.5 that specifically addresses the pathways from remote sensing data to SDG achievement, detailing the practical mechanisms through which environmental information translates into concrete policy actions, health interventions, and sustainable development outcomes.

Comment 5: It is necessary to check the numbering of sections: section 3 is immediately followed by section 5

Response: Thank you for identifying this formatting error in the section numbering. You are absolutely correct, and this is an oversight in the manuscript structure. This formatting error has been corrected in the revised manuscript, and all sections are now properly numbered in sequential order.

Quality of English Language: The English is fine and does not require any improvement.

Response: Thank you for confirming that the English language quality in the manuscript meets the publication standards.

We are confident that the manuscript now adheres to the publication standards. Your constructive feedback during the major revision process was invaluable, and we thank you again for your time and dedication in helping us improve our work for publication in the Atmosphere.

 

 

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript addresses an important topic by analyzing the concentrations of NO₂ and CO in Northwestern Syria from 2019 to 2024, utilizing data from Sentinel-5P and ERA5. However, the paper exhibits structural weaknesses and lacks sufficient critical discussion, which must be addressed to enhance its academic rigor. While the paper has a clear structure, it currently presents information without making necessary connections or engaging in critical analysis. Consequently, I recommend a "Minor revision." There are several key points that should be considered for potential publication in the future.

 

The abstract is generally well-written but lacks specificity regarding the statistical methods employed. The results are presented clearly; however, they are primarily descriptive. Although the paper discusses the correlation of climatic factors with changes in CO and NO₂ concentrations, the authors do not provide explanations for these correlations. I suggest that the authors illustrate how their work contributes to the existing literature and identify what this study offers new knowledge.

Other comments :

L38: What do SDGs mean? 

- Reduce the keyword count to approximately 4 or 5. 

L103, 105-109: The manuscript currently has inconsistent citation styles. Please adopt a unified citation style. 

L240: Kindly provide the link related to ERA5. 

L255: Authors should standardize the formatting throughout the manuscript, including size and typeface, by the journal's guidelines.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer (2)

The manuscript addresses an important topic by analyzing the concentrations of NO₂ and CO in Northwestern Syria from 2019 to 2024, utilizing data from Sentinel-5P and ERA5. However, the paper exhibits structural weaknesses and lacks sufficient critical discussion, which must be addressed to enhance its academic rigor. While the paper has a clear structure, it currently presents information without making necessary connections or engaging in critical analysis. Consequently, I recommend a "Minor revision." There are several key points that should be considered for potential publication in the future.

Comment 1: The abstract is generally well-written but lacks specificity regarding the statistical methods employed.

Response: Thank you for this valuable feedback highlighting the need for greater specificity regarding the statistical methods in the abstract.

You are absolutely correct that the abstract should provide clear information about the statistical approaches employed to ensure readers understand the analytical rigor of the study. This omission has been addressed in the revised abstract by including specific details about the statistical methods used, including linear regression analysis for trend assessment, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient for climate-pollutant relationships, statistical significance testing at p < 0.05 level, and quality assurance filtering parameters for satellite data.

The revised abstract now provides sufficient detail about the analytical framework to enable readers to properly evaluate the methodological approach and statistical validity of the findings.

Comment 2: The results are presented clearly; however, they are primarily descriptive. Although the paper discusses the correlation of climatic factors with changes in CO and NO₂ concentrations, the authors do not provide explanations for these correlations. I suggest that the authors illustrate how their work contributes to the existing literature and identify what this study offers new knowledge.

Response: Thank you for this constructive feedback that highlights important aspects for strengthening the analytical depth of the manuscript.

You raise a valid point about the need for deeper explanations of the observed correlations and clearer articulation of the study's novel contributions to the existing literature. The correlations identified in this study have specific scientific explanations rooted in atmospheric chemistry and physics principles.

The strong positive correlations between atmospheric pressure and NO₂ concentrations (0.62-0.70) occur because high-pressure systems create stable atmospheric conditions with reduced vertical mixing, leading to pollutant accumulation near the surface. The negative correlations with temperature (-0.56 to -0.76) reflect reduced photochemical degradation rates and increased heating emissions during colder periods. The negative wind speed correlations (-0.54 to -0.74) demonstrate enhanced pollutant dispersion under windy conditions, following established atmospheric dispersion principles.

This study makes several novel contributions to the existing literature. First, it represents the first comprehensive analysis of air pollution dynamics in a conflict-affected region using high-resolution satellite data, filling a critical gap in environmental monitoring for inaccessible areas. Second, it reveals unprecedented insights into how political governance directly influences environmental patterns - the discovery that opposition-controlled territories show stable industrial operations while government-controlled areas exhibit declining trends due to economic sanctions represents a new paradigm in political ecology research. Third, it demonstrates the utility of satellite remote sensing for monitoring socioeconomic dynamics through environmental indicators, offering a novel approach for conflict zone assessment. The study also advances methodological knowledge by successfully integrating Sentinel-5P data with Google Earth Engine for conflict zone monitoring, and provides the first systematic correlation analysis between meteorological factors and pollutants in the Eastern Mediterranean conflict context.

In response to your feedback, additional explanatory text has been incorporated into the results sections to provide scientific explanations for the observed correlations, and a paragraph has been added to the introduction clearly articulating the novel contributions and knowledge gaps addressed by this research.

Other comments:

Comment 1: L38: What do SDGs mean? 

Response: Thank you for this clarification request. SDGs refer to Sustainable Development Goals, and the full definition has been added to the manuscript upon first mention (line 38) to ensure clarity for readers.

Comment 2: Reduce the keyword count to approximately 4 or 5.

Response: Thank you for this suggestion. The keyword count has been reduced to five keywords in the revised manuscript as recommended: Air pollution dynamics; Remote sensing; Sentinel-5P TROPOMI; Environmental sustainability; Syria.

Comment 3: L103, 105-109: The manuscript currently has inconsistent citation styles. Please adopt a unified citation style.

Response: Thank you for identifying the citation formatting inconsistencies. The citation style has been standardized throughout the manuscript, and all references now follow a unified format consistent with the journal's guidelines. Lines 103, 105-109 and all other citations have been carefully reviewed and corrected to ensure consistency.

Comment 4: L240: Kindly provide the link related to ERA5.

Response: Thank you for this helpful suggestion. The ERA5 reference link has been added to line 241 in the revised manuscript.

ERA5 stands for the fifth-generation European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Atmospheric Reanalysis, which is a comprehensive global climate reanalysis dataset. The official ERA5 data access link (https://cds.climate.copernicus.eu/datasets/reanalysis-era5-single-levels?tab=overview) has been included in the text to provide readers with direct access to the data source for reproducibility purposes.

Comment 5: L255: Authors should standardize the formatting throughout the manuscript, including size and typeface, by the journal's guidelines.

Response: Thank you for this important formatting observation. The manuscript formatting has been standardized throughout the document, including consistent font size, typeface, and spacing, to fully comply with the journal's guidelines. All sections, headings, references, and figure captions now follow uniform formatting standards as specified by the journal's submission requirements.

Quality of English Language: The English is fine and does not require any improvement.

Response: Thank you for confirming that the English language quality in the manuscript meets the publication standards.

We are confident that the manuscript now adheres to the publication standards. Your constructive feedback during the major revision process was invaluable, and we thank you again for your time and dedication in helping us improve our work for publication in the Atmosphere.